The State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) adopts an amendment to 22 TAC §111.1, concerning additional continuing education requirements for prescribing controlled substances. This amendment is adopted with no changes to the proposed text as published in the October 11, 2019, issue of the Texas Register (44 TexReg 5865). The rule will not be republished.

This amendment will implement the requirements for continuing education required by H.B. 2174 of the 86th Legislature and the requirements of Section 481.07635 of the Health and Safety Code. Per Section 17 of H.B. 2174, the requirements of additional continuing education must be completed by September 1, 2021, for dentists who hold authorization to prescribe controlled substances issued before September 1, 2020.

One comment was received after publication of the proposed rule amendment during the official comment period. On October 28, 2019, the Texas Dental Association provided a written comment in support of adoption of the rule amendment as proposed. The Board agrees with this comment and no changes to the proposed rule were made as a result of the comment.

This rule is adopted under Texas Occupations Code §254.001(a), which gives the Board authority to adopt rules necessary to perform its duties and ensure compliance with state laws relating to the practice of dentistry to protect the public health and safety, and Texas Health and Safety Code §481.07635 (effective Sept. 1, 2019), which directs the Board to require a licensed dentist with the authority to prescribe controlled substances to complete at least two hours of continuing education related to approved procedures of prescribing and monitoring controlled substances.

This rule implements the requirements of H.B. 2174 of the 86th Legislature and Texas Health and Safety Code §481.07635.